During an appearance on “Today” on Monday, Alley further explained her use of the term many have found derogatory.

“I know this isn’t politically correct, but I grew up when there were actually fat ladies in the circus,” she explained to Matt Lauer. “Now so many of us are fat that you can’t tell us apart. When there were actually fat ladies in the circus … they would parade the fat lady out, so I call it ‘circus fat.'”

“I’m not ‘circus fat’ but I need to lose 30 pounds. Thirty pounds is a lot,” she continued.

A representative for Jenny Craig could not immediately be reached for comment.